Split-thread spring caddis

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Hankinsfly
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Split-thread spring caddis

Post by Hankinsfly » Sat Oct 13, 2018 10:03 am

Here is a very successful pattern for spring and summer swinging in Ozark tailwaters. The addition of the midge flash antennae is new. Had a trip this summer to the White. I gave my friend a few wets to fish, one being similar to these with flash antennae. He was in constant action, and every fish took the fly with the flash antennae. The abdomen/thorax are both split-thread dubbed with hare’s ear plus (old pack of dubbing I’ve had for years, just loose hare’s ear with some type synthetic blended in. The hackle is red-phase grouse. Green wire for the egg sack. Size 14 Kamazan.
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letumgo
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Re: Split-thread spring caddis

Post by letumgo » Sat Oct 13, 2018 10:45 am

Very nice! I’d fish those in a heartbeat. I like the combination of materials and colors. Innovative blend of modern materials and classic style.

Thank you for sharing an effective fishing pattern. Kudos.

Question - Do you have a preference for the flash color?
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tie2fish
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Re: Split-thread spring caddis

Post by tie2fish » Sat Oct 13, 2018 11:48 am

Everything Ray said plus a question: Is the "red-phase grouse" the English bird or some American cousin?
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Hankinsfly
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Re: Split-thread spring caddis

Post by Hankinsfly » Sat Oct 13, 2018 5:22 pm

Ray- I’m using olive, just because that’s what I have. Maybe black or brown or copper would be fine also. Tie2fish- I am unsure, I’m sorry. I need to do some more research. I was told there is a red phase and I believe a blue phase maybe. I have two skins which seem to match these designations. The larger bird, bought from BRF in W. Yellowstone, is a much larger bird withots if larger grey feathers. The other, much smaller is size and feather size, has lots of browns and partidge-type colors and markings. That was a gift, I think was bought from J Stockard.

I’m sorry for the photo quality. The photos don’t the flies much justice. They are much lighter than pictured with nice markings in the grouse.

I really like patterns tied completely with natural materials, and there are scores of great patterns here on flymphforum in the older posts. There are just some synthetics that have excellent qualities.
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redietz
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Re: Split-thread spring caddis

Post by redietz » Sun Oct 14, 2018 1:19 am

"Red phase" usually refers to one of the color variants of the tail of a ruffed grouse (which is, of course, an American bird):

Ruffed Grouse Color Phases

For example, the Breadcrust is properly only tied with red phase feathers.
Bob
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Re: Split-thread spring caddis

Post by Hankinsfly » Sun Oct 14, 2018 8:27 am

Redietz- thank you for this reply! Very informative. So I was incorrect in thinking it had to do also with body and wing feathers. And yes, both of my skins are ruffed. Can anyone post photos of other types of grouse skins?
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tie2fish
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Re: Split-thread spring caddis

Post by tie2fish » Sun Oct 14, 2018 10:28 am

Hankinsfly wrote: Sun Oct 14, 2018 8:27 am Redietz- thank you for this reply! Very informative. So I was incorrect in thinking it had to do also with body and wing feathers. And yes, both of my skins are ruffed. Can anyone post photos of other types of grouse skins?
English (Scottish) Red Grouse, which is the bird referred to as "grouse" in North Country fly patterns ...

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tie2fish
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Re: Split-thread spring caddis

Post by tie2fish » Sun Oct 14, 2018 10:36 am

North American Sage Grouse

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Eurasian Black Grouse

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North American Sharp-tailed Grouse

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Some of the same morons who throw their trash around in National parks also vote. That alone would explain the state of American politics. ~ John Gierach, "Still Life with Brook Trout"
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Re: Split-thread spring caddis

Post by Old Hat » Sun Oct 14, 2018 11:58 am

Sage Hen (Sharptail)
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English Grouse (dark)
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redietz
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Re: Split-thread spring caddis

Post by redietz » Sun Oct 14, 2018 5:09 pm

WiFlyfisher wrote: Sun Oct 14, 2018 9:39 am
The entire bird has reddish-brown feathers, not just the tail.
There's nothing in the linked article to suggest that body and wing feathers aren't also red -- just that the tail feathers are used to distinguish between the five phases -- if you used body feathers, there's only be a red phase and a gray phase.
Bob
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